Cheng Yunmeng left the imperial study drenched in sweat. The moment she returned to her courtyard, her legs gave out and she collapsed onto the ground.
She gave Jiang Xingran quite a fright.
He scrambled to help his Imperial Consort mother back into the room. Only after handing her a cup of warm water did he begin gently comforting her. "Mother, we turned misfortune into a blessing today. Please don't worry too much."
Not only had they dealt with the menace in their courtyard, but Emperor Mingze had also replaced their palace maids. Their days of being bullied even by servants had finally come to an end.
Cheng Yunmeng stroked Jiang Xingran's topknot again and again, silently shedding tears.
How could he know that they had truly walked through the gates of death today?
If not for the little one's inner voice, the knife Xun Tao had wielded today would one day have pierced both mother and son!
What filled her heart was far more than simple worry.
Relief, lingering terror, bewilderment...
All those emotions swept over her at once, leaving her head spinning.
Looking around blankly, she spotted several mahogany food boxes piled in a corner. "What are those?"
Jiang Xingran followed her gaze and said hesitantly, "They must be the ones those eunuchs following Jiang Yingcheng were carrying today."
Although everything had been chaotic, the eunuchs had been carrying so many food boxes that he had still noticed them.
Just then, both their stomachs let out a series of rumbles.
Jiang Xingran fell silent for a moment, then said with a solemn little face, "I'll go look."
He opened the exquisitely crafted mahogany food boxes one by one, revealing plates of even more exquisite pastries inside.
His hands paused only briefly before he casually took out two plates, his expression composed, intending to share them with his Imperial Consort mother.
Zuilan had ruined all their lunch today, and both he and his Imperial Consort mother were still hungry.
But before turning around, his sharp eyes caught a pink pouch tucked into a corner of one food box.
Cheng Yunmeng came over as well. "Little Yingcheng's pouch?"
An adorable rabbit was embroidered on it, making its owner obvious at a glance.
Neither of them gave it much thought.
"I'll take it back to Starfrost Hall later. Let's eat first." It was already past dinner time, and finding anything to eat outside would likely be difficult.
Cheng Yunmeng hesitated. "But these..." They all belonged to little Yingcheng.
"Don't worry," Jiang Xingran said. "Without Jiang Yingcheng's orders, how could those eunuchs have left these things here on their own?"
They were all attendants who ordinarily served at his Imperial Father's side. The slightest carelessness could cost them their heads; they would never make a mistake like that.
Jiang Yingcheng could only have left the food for them deliberately.
After dinner, Jiang Xingran dutifully changed into his most formal clothes, tucked away the little pouch, and headed toward Starfrost Hall.
The palace maid responsible for announcing visitors soon welcomed him inside, but Consort Wan was the only one there to receive him.
The candlelight in the room wrapped Fang Siwan in a soft glow. She gently smoothed the stray hairs at her temple and said warmly, "Chengcheng just returned and the maids have taken her off to bathe. If you're not in a hurry, Seventh Prince, would you like to stay and wait a little?"
Fang Siwan quietly watched Jiang Xingran's expression. "Since yesterday, Chengcheng has been talking about going to play with her seventh brother."
But Jiang Xingran shook his head. He took the pouch straight out of his sleeve and said with the composure of a little adult, "I only came to return this pouch today. Now that I've delivered it, I should go back and keep my Imperial Consort mother company."
It was warm and bright here. If he stayed any longer, he feared he would no longer be able to contain his resentment.
Why should my Imperial Consort mother and I have to live in a courtyard so cold and dark?!
Why should we be treated as differently as heaven and earth when we're all Imperial Father's children?!
Jiang Xingran clenched his fists hard, suppressing the vicious fury in his heart.
I need to leave right away, he thought.
He rose, about to bow and take his leave, only to hear a small exclamation from across from him.
"Oh! Chengcheng meant to give this to you."
Jiang Xingran froze.
His reaction left Fang Siwan rather puzzled as well.
"Yesterday, she rummaged through every chest and cupboard, saying she wanted to give her favorite little friend a present. This pouch was the wrapping she chose for it."
She slowly rose and pressed the pouch back into Jiang Xingran's hand. "I certainly wouldn't dare accept this. If Chengcheng saw it here tonight, there's no telling how she'd cry and fuss."
Jiang Xingran slowly lowered his head, staring blankly at the pouch that had been pressed back into his hand.
A present?
For me?
Had someone taken over Jiang Yingcheng's body?
Why else would she suddenly keep showing him kindness?
He had intended to stay at Starfrost Hall and ask her about it, but after he waited a while, a palace maid came in to report that the little princess had drifted off to sleep as soon as her bath was over. He could only tuck the pouch away and leave.
Once outside, he wrestled with himself several times before finally giving in to his curiosity. By the fairly bright moonlight, he slowly reached out and opened the pouch.
Inside were a dozen or so plump, rounded gold beans.
They reflected a dazzling light.
Pretty, and practical.
Jiang Xingran abruptly tightened his grip, his thoughts churning.
Although he had no idea what Jiang Yingcheng was up to, this gift was something he truly needed...
Beneath the moonlight, a cold, resolute gleam shone in the young boy's eyes.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yingcheng, fast asleep in her room, seemed to dream of something wonderful. She waved her arms and kicked her legs, laughing aloud.
Early the next morning, Jiang Yingcheng opened her eyes to Fang Siwan's calls.
But the moment she lifted her head for a look, the sight before her nearly frightened her to tears.
What's goin' on? Has Chengcheng gone blind?!
The entire room was pitch-black. She couldn't even see where her Imperial Consort mother was!
Fang Siwan: "..."
Fang Siwan said, "Qingbi, light the lamps."
She had never risen this early before either and had nearly overslept. The moment she entered, she had rushed straight to the little one's bedside without even having time to ask for the lamps to be lit, resulting in this scene.
Qingbi hurried to light the lamps.
The flame from the fire striker kindled a faint, gentle glow on the candles, and only then did Jiang Yingcheng let out a long breath of relief.
This baby was scared to death!
After that scare, Jiang Yingcheng was thoroughly awake.
She rubbed her sleepy eyes and asked in a muffled voice, "Imperial Consort, why did you wake Chengcheng up so early?"
Fang Siwan stroked Jiang Yingcheng's soft hair with a pang of sympathy. Recalling Emperor Mingze's instructions from two days earlier, she said gently, "Eunuch Changshun is already waiting outside. He said your Imperial Father suddenly missed you terribly and wanted to see you at every moment, so he sent him to fetch you."
Ordinarily, this would have been an honor countless princes and princesses could only dream of. Yet as Jiang Yingcheng let Qingbi put a heavy padded jacket on her, a bewildered look on her face, she had only one thought-
Boo-hoo, how could Imperial Father's love be so heavy...
This was far too early!
Before you continue